Established in 1951, International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. With 132 member states, a further 17 states holding observer status and offices in over 100 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all.

IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people.

The IOM Constitution recognizes the link between migration and economic, social and cultural development, as well as to the right of freedom of movement.

As the leading international organization for migration, IOM acts with its partners in the international community to:

assist in meeting the growing operational challenges of migration management

advance understanding of migration issues

encourage social and economic development through migration

uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants

The challenge of IOM is to find a humane, orderly, equitable arrangement that:

acknowledges national sovereignty on population movements and a State’s expectation that migrants will respect host country culture and laws

and simultaneously acknowledges people’s age-old desire to migrate to improve their lives and their expectation that their rights will be respected

Estonia has been IOM observer state since 1998 and IOM Mission in Estonia was opened in 2004. Throughout years, the Office in Estonia has been focusing on Counter-trafficking campaigns, integration initiatives, capacity building and trainings and provided assistance to migrants. Major activity areas of the IOM Mission in Estonia relate in particular to:

In 2014 IOM office in Estonia in cooperation with its partners is implementing the project EST-CO. The aim of the project is to support the adaptation of asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection in Estonia.

Within the framework of the EST-CO project, cultural orientation (CO) trainings are organised for asylum seekers and recognized refugees. The main purpose of the training is to promote the awareness of asylum seekers about Estonia and to ensure smoother integration upon receiving international protection. Additionally, the project provides more information about asylum seekers and recognized refugees to local governments to improve reception of refugees on their territory.

The project is co-funded by the European Union through the European Refugee Fund and by the Estonian Ministry of the Interior

Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegra- tion in Estonia (VARRE)

Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) is a key tool in regulating migration and aims at the orderly, humane, and cost effective return of migrants, who wish to return voluntarily to their countries of origin.

IOM Tallinn started implementing an AVRR programme in Estonia in 2010. Return and reintegration services are offered to migrants, who wish to return voluntarily to their countries of origin. Assisted migrants include asylum seekers and irregular migrants. Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration in Estonia (VARRE) aims to support the Government of Estonia in enhancing a systematic approach to return management and in strengthening and implementing a voluntary return and reintegration framework in Estonia. Services provided to migrants returning voluntarily from Estonia include information provision and counseling, pre-departure assistance, assistance in obtaining travel documents, travel arrangements, and assistance at departure, transit and arrival.

The project aims at harmonizing Estonia’s practices with the Community standards and best practices on return management. The goal of the project is met by provision of related trainings and sharing/learning from best practices of other Member States. In particular the project activities foresee exchange of best practices and capacity building of state officials and other return stakeholders in Estonia in view of enhancing qualifications.